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November 17, 2021
Open Thread 2021-89
Comments
@c1ue #85:
Here’s some clarity for you – clearly the successful implementation posited by psychohistorian is not possible when what obtains in the US is a government of the bankers, controlled by the bankers.
Posted by: nudge | Nov 18 2021 15:46 utc | 101
U.S. Blacklists Strategic Culture Foundation in Attack on Independent Journalism and Political Dissent
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2021/11/18/us-blacklists-strategic-culture-foundation-in-attack-on-independent-journalism-and-political-dissent/
Posted by: librul | Nov 18 2021 16:04 utc | 102
Gerhard (97).
You are welcome.
I don’t put much faith in Stoltenberg, he’s a US puppet, infact its well known that Nato’s remit has long expired, and that the warmongering outfit is now just a gun for hire headed up by the USA.
On the build up of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, like China and the the Taiwan situation, with regards to the USA and Australia and the UK encroaching on Taiwan, which is still sovereign Chinese territory, Russia has seen all manner of military exercises on its border with Ukraine, so it is in my opinion prudent to have military force present just in case.
As for Ukraine itself, it is in the position it is in because the USA attempted a bloody coup in 2014, orchestrated from the US embassy in Kiev. Which led to Russia protecting its interests by annexing the Crimea peninsular, Sevastopol is strategically important to Russia, and its access to wider waters in the region.
Regarding Lukashenko, yes he’s no angel, but the West doesn’t want him deposed and replaced with a Western friendly puppet because of his human rights record, no they want him deposed because he’s allied with Putin and Russia, and they want to break that tie, and of course place more and more nukes on the border aimed at Moscow.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Nov 18 2021 16:36 utc | 103
Wim @87–
Thanks so much for putting forth your speculation that Escobar’s “reputable” energy company is Trafigura, which is a Swiss based company. What sort of evidence do you have to share that backs your bet?
Oh, and I very much agree that the Outlaw US Empire seats its own puppets into the EU mechanism, which is as designed.
Is it all just training? Or is this “military diplomacy” (and what is military diplomacy anyway?)
Canadian frigate HMCS Fredericton caught on fire this morning off the coast of Norway (part of NATO SMG1) Small fire, quickly extinguished.
https://navalpost.com/hmcs-fredericton-fire-at-sea/
Nov. 15 (Pacific North-West storm day) the ship hosted a visitor from the Netherlands. Commander Ad van de Sande came on board. He reports in a Tweet: “Demonstrating and improving interoperability. Also chance to share experiences and thoughts with COMSNMG1 on board his flagship.” The Canadian commander reports in a Tweet that Comander van de Sande was welcomed on board “for meaningful dialogue & observe training evolutions including surface & manoeuvring serials.” Translation, anyone? Commander van de Sande was fresh off a port visit to Hamburg.
https://twitter.com/COM_NLMARFOR/status/1460279949668061199?s=20
https://twitter.com/COM_SNMG1/status/1460322283709476869?s=20
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Nov 18 2021 16:57 utc | 105
Poor Wendy Sherman left alone at the press conference podium she was supposed to share with her Japanese and South Korean colleagues. Massive embarrassment!
“The cancellation of the joint news conference was due to the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islands as a spokesperson at the Japanese embassy in Washington said Japanese officials had withdrawn from the media appearance in protest at a recent visit to the disputed islands by the chief of the South Korean police.
“‘This was quite an embarrassing situation for Sherman. Although she explained the cancellation of the joint conference was not related to the earlier trilateral meeting, the disputes between Japan and South Korea did affect trilateral relations,’ Da Zhigang, director and research fellow of Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times….
“The deepening contradictions between Japan and South Korea are inevitable, and the main reason lies with Japan – with the rise of the right wing in Japan, frictions between Japan and South Korea rooted in historical issues have deepened, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times….
“Experts also noted that the rise of right-wing forces in Japan was encouraged by the US, and while the US is working hard to promote its Indo-Pacific strategy, its two allies in Asia are growing far apart, making it hard for the US to draw small cliques in Northeast Asia.
“Due to different diplomatic strategies, South Korea and Japan also differ on whether to closely follow the US especially on containing China, Yang said, noting that Japan wants to promote its ‘normalization’ and rise again as a great power with its core pursuit for military normalization. This is why it closely follows the US on its anti-China policies.
“South Korea does not want to bond tightly with the US to confront another great power, said Yang.” [My Emphasis]
Rising fascism in Japan will easily push South Korea into much closer relations with all its mainland neighbors as their genuine historical recollections of Japanese colonialism remains fresh along with the Outlaw US Empire’s connivance in reviving Japan and its fascist allies immediately after WW2. IMO, President Moon realizes South Korea has much more in common with North Korea, China and Russia than it does with Japan. From a geopolitical POV, both Japan and South Korea serve a similar purpose for the Outlaw US Empire as Afghanistan did, although IMO Moon and most South Koreans would be most pleased for their occupation by Imperial forces to end ASAP.
China to the rescue: “Domestic antibody drug likely prevents most COVID-19 variants: researchers”:
“A Chinese research team has discovered a neutralizing antibody that is likely to be able to fight against most current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants, bringing more COVID-19 candidate therapies to the country, where six drugs have been domestically developed.
“The drug, named DXP-604 based on a neutralizing antibody, was developed by a research team led by Xie Xiaoliang, director of the Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics at Peking University.
“It was used on some patients at the Beijing Ditan Hospital and proved able to significantly lower the viral load in patients’ bodies and greatly relieve symptoms such as suffocating, and taste and smell declines, the Science and Technology Daily reported Thursday….
“The patients were given the drug on a compassionate use basis, an option to treat patients with life-threatening conditions with investigational medical products outside of clinical trials when there are no other comparable or satisfactory alternatives available. Some of the patients have been discharged from the hospital.
“Xie told the Science and Technology Daily that the drug can take effect with a dose of only about 0.6 grams. It is effective in preventing most SARS-CoV-2 variants, according to testing that the team conducted on more than 4,000 possible mutations of the virus, Xie noted.” [My Emphasis]
I can see the West erecting trade barriers to prevent its citizens from using any of the Chinese drugs being developed to contain covid and its kin. The article notes the antibody blocks the virus’s ability to enter cells just as the other successful anti-virals being used do:
“The working theory of antibody-based drugs is to prevent a virus from binding with receptors in human cells, a Beijing-based immunology expert told the Global Times on Thursday.”
IMO, 2022 will see the demise of the West’s attempt to use the pandemic to further curtail the rights of citizens and create further societal divisions. China’s credibility will rise to further heights as it shares its pharmaceutical advances with the world as it advances on the path to a shared future for all humanity.
In an audacious attack on free speech, journalists and writers based in the United States have now been banned by the U.S. federal authorities from publishing articles with Strategic Culture Foundation. We interview one of those authors affected by the ban, New York City-based journalist Daniel Lazare who shares his thoughts on the profound implications for free speech, independent journalism and political dissent.
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2021/11/18/us-blacklists-strategic-culture-foundation-in-attack-on-independent-journalism-and-political-dissent/
Posted by: ld | Nov 18 2021 17:19 utc | 108
Headlines coming from the “Expanded meeting of the Foreign Ministry Board”
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67123
Posted by: Paco | Nov 18 2021 17:24 utc | 109
It appears that China is using its many STEM and other hard science researchers in a manner that translates to a form of Soft Power the West is incapable of duplicating because of its Neoliberal constraints that call for gouging the public to the nth degree. Thus the “threat” posed by Xi’s “Manifesto.” Until the West completely overhauls its underlying philosophy, China and its Eurasian allies will continue to win the rest of the world to its Win-Win view of human-centered development. European Neoliberals had better awaken from their stupor before they discover they’ve been cast adrift from Eurasia by adhering to the diktats of the Outlaw US Empire.
Here is what only looks like another bad result of the long reach of Big Pharma. A hospital has ordered a critical care doctor to only use their (expensive) recommended treatment for covid patients and to stop using certain (inexpensive) medications that are in the doctor’s best judgement. The brave doctor is fighting back in court.
FLCCC Press Release
Dr. Paul Marik v. Sentara Healthcare
“Dr. Marik is only asking that Sentara respect – as the law requires Sentara to respect – his and his critically ill patients’ rights to discuss and decide to use FDA-approved, potentially life-saving medicines that their attending physician deems medically appropriate.”
Posted by: Tiger Lily | Nov 18 2021 17:30 utc | 111
In a moral sense, the free market exists in a more pure form than in the West, because there the risk of failure is not only real, but really means you’re out of the game.
Posted by: vk | Nov 18 2021 15:11 utc | 99
And they do this as well–
” BEIJING, May 24 — The significance of the open trial of Chinese multi-billionaire mining tycoon Liu Han is multi-fold.
A local court in central China on Friday sentenced Liu to death for murder and organizing and leading a criminal gang.”
Tycoon’s trial shows judicial system’s resolve
(People’s Daily Online) 09:31, May 25, 2014
Posted by: arby | Nov 18 2021 17:31 utc | 112
If US & NATO military exercises on the Black Sea promote peace and stability, shouldn’t the Russians, along with Cuba and Venezuela, conduct similar exercises in the Gulf of Mexico as a gesture of friendship and goodwill?
Posted by: Eric Blair | Nov 18 2021 17:32 utc | 113
ld & librul–
Thanks for informing us of Cunningham’s SCF article and interview with Lazare. Here’s an excerpt:
“Anyone who takes one look at the SCF website will see that it features articles on foreign policy and world affairs that, politically speaking, cover the map from conservative to Marxist. To be sure, most of the articles published are critical of U.S. policy, but that’s the only consistent thread. So I can’t see how this benefits the Kremlin in any significant way since such viewpoints are common throughout the internet. Everyone knows that the United States is a global bully, so why bother adding to the chorus? Of course, if the U.S. authorities provided something by way of tangible evidence of an intelligence link, things might be different. But since they haven’t, we are left with nothing more than an assertion that is dubious on its face.” [My Emphasis]
We’re also left with further evidence that the Outlaw US Empire is indeed a bully and violates its own stated “values” of free speech and discourse as it mounts what can now be deemed a sham of a democracy summit based on its own behavior. Such tactics differ in no way from that of Ukraine shutting down opposition media–It’s Totalitarian.
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 18 2021 17:27 utc | 110
European vassals, this is from the second part of Putin in the MID that has not been tranlated yet, there are quite a few references to the European suicidal vassals.
I remember very well 2014, when the Polish leadership, trying to stop the use of law enforcement agencies in Ukraine – Yanukovych was then President – spoke of the impossibility of using such means against the civilian population. And what are they doing themselves?
Posted by: Paco | Nov 18 2021 17:46 utc | 115
Passer by – m conversation…. i agree strongly with passer by…
librul / id…. thanks for pointing that out… another disturbing development, but voices must be silenced according to ‘freedumb and dumbocracy ‘ usa’ policy.
Posted by: james | Nov 18 2021 17:53 utc | 116
Paco @109–
Thanks much for your bringing that meeting to our attention, and also linking the very important disclosure by Lavrov. Here’s a brief excerpt:
“We will also fix the specific areas of foreign policy, of our diplomatic work in today’s difficult international conditions in the new version of the Foreign Policy Concept that is now being drafted. This document, along with the National Security Strategy endorsed this summer, will, actually, become a roadmap for the Foreign Ministry and other ministries and departments.
“The main thing is that our foreign policy should continue ensuring the most comfortable and secure conditions for Russia’s development, resolving ambitious socioeconomic tasks and improving the living standards of our people.”
We shall need to watch for the publication of the new Foreign Policy Concept and ensure we also provide a link to the National Security Strategy when we post it since they’re to work in tandem. I found this other paragraph from Putin to be of outstanding importance:
“Our diplomacy should be more active in countering attempts by the European Union and the United States to assume the right to dictate the climate agenda single-handedly and to create standards for it, although we saw how difficult discussions in Glasgow were and how many questions they had between themselves. But we are not calling for dissent; on the contrary, we are calling for a search for mutually acceptable solutions. Incidentally, overall we should proceed from the premise that Russia has taken an advanced position in the green transformation and in digitisation in all economic industries and areas of life.” [My Emphasis]
I concur 100%. Not just on the climate agenda either. The world should no longer accept any diktat from the Outlaw US Empire and its EU vassal on anything as they have less than zero credibility.
Posted by: m | Nov 18 2021 14:51 utc | 96:
Evergrande isn`t exactly a start-up but the current situation follows the same logic. Why should anybody invest into Evergrande if even it`s CEO doesn`t believe in success?
The issue is not that investors are not investing in Evergrande (buying its shares). The issue is, when Evergrand defaults on debt its share prices will tank, which means current Evergrande shareholders will lose money for the CEO’s mistake. George W Oprisko is saying in China, the law enforcement system will pin the CEO for his own mistake, targeting his own personal wealth. This is as it should be.
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 18 2021 17:59 utc | 118
Paco @115–
Thanks for that further info! I’ll go and read the Russian transcript to see what other points are there as it’s clear the English version isn’t complete.
@vk #90
Money existed but it was not the basis to get anything: housing, education, health care etc etc.
So whatever point you are trying to make is irrelevant.
Furthermore, that system failed. Not just in literal history – it failed because the bureaucracy simply could not make all the choices to create everything that people wanted.
Yes, the USSR could have survived longer had they had someone with more balls than Gorbachev in charge. But it still would have failed due to its own inadequacies regarding support of the ‘stans and Eastern Europe.
Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 18:20 utc | 120
@vk #91
At least you are consistent: always wrong and for the wrong reasons.
The supply chain issues in the US, the inflation etc are *NOT* because of the 1%. They consume completely different things than regular people and thus have ZERO impact on normal people’s goods.
The increases in car prices are not because Warren Buffet or lonE skuM want 50 Honda Civics or Ford F150s in their garage; they’re because the new car supply has been impacted by both COVID shutdown/lockdown production interruptions and chip shortages coupled with people buying them with stimulus money.
The shortages are due to increased consumption across the board: the illegal construction workers cashing in their windfall, untaxed paychecks even as they collected Federally increase unemployment; the under the table elder care workers doing the same. These aren’t guesses – I know multiple people doing each.
You have no idea what the real world is like or what real people are doing.
Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 18:24 utc | 121
My latest
A Tale of Two Cities: Kyle Rittenhouse and Timothy Simpkins
https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/a-tale-of-two-cities-kyle-rittenhouse
Posted by: Dogon Priest | Nov 18 2021 18:25 utc | 122
@nudge #101
Only simpletons think that an entity as large and chaotic as the US government is controlled by anyone or any group.
The bankers pay to get their interests looked at by politicians – as do any large number of other interests. The bankers have a lot of money but not all of it.
And even the US government has real limits on what it can do – which Brandon is now exploring.
Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 18:28 utc | 123
Various governments are using every legislative trick in the book to force citizens to give out biometric photos together with matching personal ID for their sinister databases. Then they can data mine and data share with the [never disclosed] ‘partners’ and other agencies.
“The revelation, a few years ago, that the US National Security Agency (NSA) has been conducting mass surveillance on millions of Americans has re-ignited the conversation on governments’ misconduct and their violation of human rights and privacy laws.”
https://original.antiwar.com/ramzy-baroud/2021/11/17/from-pegasus-to-blue-wolf-how-israels-security-experiment-in-palestine-became-global/
Posted by: Paul | Nov 18 2021 18:28 utc | 124
Putin’s speech transcript in Russian goes well beyond where the English version currently ends. It goes into NATO’s eastward advance and how that relates to the situation in Ukraine and Belarus. There’re many key points being made in this very important internal discussion. Although it lacks the foregoing context, this excerpt is very important:
“In this regard, I see two points here. First, it is necessary that this state [frozen conflict] be maintained for as long as possible, so that it does not occur to them to arrange for us on our western borders some conflict that we do not need, and we do not need conflicts.
“And secondly, it is necessary to raise the question, Sergei Viktorovich, it is necessary to raise the question of how to seek to provide Russia with serious long-term guarantees to ensure our security in this area, because Russia cannot exist in this way and constantly think about what can happen there tomorrow.
“It is clear, and I see, despite the fact that many people wear masks, nevertheless it is clear from the eyes that there are skeptical smiles about whether it is possible to count on and hope for the seriousness of possible agreements in this area, bearing in mind that we are still dealing with, to put it mildly, not very reliable partners: they easily refuse any previous agreements. However, as difficult as it may be, it needs to be worked on, and I ask you to keep that in mind.” [My Emphasis]
IMO, this session needed to be held in secret as much of the above didn’t need to be given to Russia’s enemies, for I very much doubt Putin’s words are a ruse of some sort. Living on the constant knife-edge of War is something that no nation needs as Putin said.
Russia has quite a lot on its plate that involves the MFA as Putin details in the many paragraphs following the above excerpt, all of which link to the utter importance of keeping the peace. The turn to the East will continue and escalate. India rated only one short paragraph and it appears Putin is satisfied with the state of relations and their current direction. Putin’s clearly very frustrated with NATO and EU; I’ll be interested to see how his words are conveyed in the official English translation. The fact that Russia needs to remain at peace with its near-abroad makes me worry that the Outlaw US Empire will see that as a point of weakness and exploit it to the great detriment of humanity, despite Putin’s sense that relations between it and Russia seem to be improving.
A society that actually cared about its people more than chest-thumping braying nationalism wouldn’t be holding Olympic games, would it?
no, they wouldn’t. so much for china’s zero covid policy. so much for “chinese marxism”.
Posted by: rjb1.5 | Nov 18 2021 19:26 utc | 126
Russia, China and others perform a political inoculation as a counter to Biden’s upcoming so-called democracy summit that was sponsored by the Permanent Missions of China and Russia to the UN, and jointly held an online seminar on democracy and human rights today:
“The forum, themed ‘Democracy and human rights: common goals with diversified approaches,’ invited renowned experts and scholars, which Chinese observers said was a good opportunity to tell the world that the meaning of democracy and human rights is not decided by the West, and the West cannot force others to carry out the same approach to the shared values of humanity….
“Li Song, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made the opening remarks.
“‘Chinese food is delicious, but it is only one of the delicious foods in the world, and we should not force others to eat Chinese food nor make people only eat Chinese food,’ Li said. Similarly, he noted that China with a splendid civilization that has evolved over the course of more than 5,000 years learns from other civilizations and welcomes suggestions, but we will never accept bossy preaching on democracy and human rights.
“Gennady Gatilov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, said certain countries regard themselves as the model for the rest of the world, and the old-brand democratic countries are trying to contain other countries and regions that have different policies over democracy and human rights.
“Equating freedom with laissez-faire leads to conflict that does not help the development of individuals, societies and nations, Gatilov said.
“Some states pretending to be ‘bastions of democracy’ and hold the Cold War mentality are proposing initiatives based on their own democratic standards that will further deepen divisions between nations, run contrary to the goal of making the world a better place and undermine international order, the representative said.”
The clear message is democracy exists in many forms, meaning there’s not one proper model, nor one specific path arriving at a democratic polity. It’s multipolar, just as the world’s multilingual with a vast number of differing cuisines.
This op/ed expands on the data used in the NY Times article about the Outlaw US Empire and its vassals increasing democracy deficit I posted yesterday:
“Of all places, the news of this democratic decline was recently reported in the New York Times. According to data from V-Dem [Link at Original], the US and its allies (defined as countries with a formal or implied mutual defense commitment) have accounted for only 5% of worldwide increases in democracy in the 2010s while having 36% of the decreases. In fact, it states, US-allied countries saw their democracies decline by nearly double the rate of non-allies.”
The author asks why then cites the PEW poll provided by me yesterday and says:
“Why is this? Well, US democracy sucks. If democracy means that public opinion is supposed to decide policies, then the US is an abject failure. Public opinion actually means next to nothing, considering the US is a functioning plutocracy – a government of, by, and for the wealthy.” [My Emphasis]
One wonders if such facts will be aired at Biden’s upcoming example of a democratic Potemkin Village. I imagine it’s a waste of time to bang the barrel-head further here at MoA on this topic, but the upcoming event is clearly an exercise in propaganda and must be outed as such. The author does make some excellent points and ought to have his essay read. Most barflies will endorse his following conclusion:
“For a lot of us, the news that America may not be the world’s leader of democracy is not a surprise. It’s just a fact. But now the data paints a clear picture that the US, even among its own allies, is most likely the single greatest threat to democracy on the planet. Will we finally see Washington stop blaming other countries for the problems it’s creating?”
The answer to his rhetorical question is clearly no, meaning further resistance is required.
Id & librul & karlof1
From Strategic Culture:
In an audacious attack on free speech, journalists and writers based in the United States have now been banned by the U.S. federal authorities from publishing articles with Strategic Culture Foundation. We interview one of those authors affected by the ban, New York City-based journalist Daniel Lazare who shares his thoughts on the profound implications for free speech, independent journalism and political dissent.
Lazare is one of several U.S.-based writers who formerly published regular columns with Strategic Culture Foundation. Our online journal greatly appreciated their intelligent insights and analysis of U.S. and international politics. Sadly, we will no longer be able to publish their columns because of the threat levied on them by the U.S. federal authorities who accuse SCF of being an influence operation directed by the Kremlin. The allegations and threats are baseless and draconian.
Importantly Daniel Lazare can be found at The Weekly Worker published by the Communist Party of Great Britain. In addition this journal gives some insight into the ludicrous exploits of the decaying heart of empire.
Lazare has just published an excellent piece on The Weekly Worker:
The best way to think of American politics is as a mixed martial-arts fight that keeps on going. Just when you think that the warriors have delivered their last kick or body slam, a roar goes out, as Joe Biden, Kamala Harris et al stagger back into the cage for more.
Plus it has a cell of excellent writers 😉
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 18 2021 20:17 utc | 129
Peter O’Keefe clutches his walking stick close as he recalls the day he was arrested by Queensland Police.
Sitting on his front porch in the remote Aboriginal community of Doomadgee in Queensland’s far west, flanked by his partner and grandchildren, the memory still hits the 65-year-old hard.
“My mind went straight to that fella [George Floyd] in America,” he said.
“I didn’t want to die.
“So I just let them do what they wanted to do.”
WARNING: SOME READERS MAY FIND THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE DISTRESSING
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-19/doomadgee-aboriginal-elder-thrown-down-by-police-officer/100598276
Posted by: Paul | Nov 18 2021 20:25 utc | 130
Must agree with Tom Fowdy and the many excellent points he raises about “Why China is losing the war of words with the West”:
“So, what exactly is wrong with Chinese state media? With the exception of the Global Times, which is slightly more effective in getting a message out due to its aggressive posture, it is generally uninspiring, unadventurous, lacking in creativity and does not grasp the fundamental principles of how journalism works, which requires some artistry, as opposed to being about simply reporting things.
“It is fair to say that this problem is somewhat rooted in the structural realities of China’s political system itself. In the West, ‘news’ functions as a commercial capitalist commodity by being able to entertain, appeal, shock and scare its audiences, irrespective of the political agendas that might be behind it or of editorial independence or associations. A biased or disingenuous source of news is not necessarily an ineffective source of news….
“This leads me on to my next point: no Chinese outlet understands what it means to establish an audience. People consume news because it’s something they need – we want to learn about the world, the weather, the markets, sport, etc. We’re aware that many sources are biased or have a particular agenda, but we choose the outlets that best fit our needs. I’m staunchly critical of the BBC – I can observe its bias and identify when it’s pushing an agenda. But maybe I should ask myself why I keep looking at it so regularly?” [My Emphasis]
Fowdy’s critiques are quite valid as I observe them myself. IMO, China’s social media is a huge attraction because it acts as a substitute for Chinese journalism. It’s also a reason why Western media is so popular, although China’s film industry is quickly improving. However, we must remember China remains a developing nation and its nascent media industry is still very much in its formative stage and will improve over time.
@ Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 18 2021 20:26 utc | 131
This is just Tom Fowdy selling his services to the Chinese. I think he’s overestimating the effectiveness and importance of journalism.
China must create an overwhelming industrial and (therefore also) military supremacy over the USA. Once that happens, the American people will submit to Chinese (socialist) will – with or without its precious journalists aping for their beloved system.
Oriental Voice #118
The issue is not that investors are not investing in Evergrande (buying its shares). The issue is, when Evergrand defaults on debt its share prices will tank, which means current Evergrande shareholders will lose money for the CEO’s mistake. George W Oprisko is saying in China, the law enforcement system will pin the CEO for his own mistake, targeting his own personal wealth. This is as it should be.
Yep, I fully agree – this is how it should be. For a peek at the economic ramifications of the Evergrand wobbles, this report by Patrick Boyle is informative.
And, while on the subject of CEO responsibilities can I add this gem from Boyle on that old faking charlatan Elon Musk. JP Morgan is after his rs.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 18 2021 20:32 utc | 133
@ Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 18:24 utc | 121
You were talking about general consumption rate in the USA, not about inflation, in your penultimate comment. I warn you again: stop trying to move the goalposts.
@ Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 18:20 utc | 120
The USSR didn’t fail because of its monetary system.
Aaron Maté interviews Hermela Aregawi on the violence in Ethiopia.
One year ago this month, a conflict broke out in Ethiopia when the TPLF — the country’s former ruling party — attacked government forces in what it claimed was a preemptive strike. Thousands have been killed and millions have been displaced. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has accused the US of backing the TPLF to overthrow his government.
Hermela Aregawi, an Ethiopian-American journalist of Tigrayan descent, argues that Western media has distorted the Ethiopian war in support of sanctions and regime change, at the cost of many lives.
Thirty six minutes utoob.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 18 2021 20:41 utc | 136
Will India Ever Evolve away from religious fanaticism? I predict it will continue to be plagued by its current problems well into the 2100s because there’s zero political will to change hearts and minds.
@vk #134
You’re warning me? Or what? You will cancel me?
Ha ha ha.
Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 21:10 utc | 138
@ Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 21:10 utc | 138
You literally falsifies what other commenters say and I’m the one cancelling?
You’re even worse than a canceller: you’re a fraud.
@vk #135
The USSR failed because it could not sustain the burdens of its empire, nor could it answer to the plainly higher standards of living in Western Europe and the US.
Its monetary policy was certainly a major factor in that.
Was it the only factor? No. But then again, empire failures are never because of just 1 factor.
If the USSR population of 1995 were the same mindset as 1920, the failure would not have occurred.
But so what?
Furthermore, there is also no question that the fantastic successes of the early USSR – the bootstrapping from 3rd world to 2nd world – were not succeeded by further progress in the period after World War 2.
China has already greatly surpassed the USSR’s accomplishments in far less time, and with far less natural resource endowments – admittedly with much less outright antagonism from the West. But then again, the Chinese have been really smart about their rise – both from learning via Russia’s failures and from their own analysis.
I’ve noted before the ubiquitous presence of Chinese companies investing in US blockbuster movies. This activity guarantees there are never Chinese bad guys in these movies – they’re usually Russians because Russian oligarchs and companies focus very differently.
Posted by: c1ue | Nov 18 2021 21:18 utc | 140
The English transcript of Putin’s MFA speech is now complete.
The latest from Oz
Government over-reach and limitless power
Seems like a testing ground for our furture
Russel Brand
https://youtu.be/BnwBTGDCLVQ?t=4
Posted by: ld | Nov 18 2021 21:37 utc | 142
In addition to his important MFA speech, Putin held a meeting that concluded several days worth of discussions on Social Policy that is every bit as important as Russia’s Foreign Policy:
“Let me stress the following: the social block is key to our state policy and is a key priority of the federal budget. State Duma deputies are also working hard on it. In this context, I would like to outline a number of issues that require joint action of the legislative and executive powers.
“First, the draft federal budget for next year now envisages adjusting the subsistence level by 2.5 percent. Of course, this is not enough, because such parameters lag significantly behind the current inflation rate, which has accelerated in recent months.
“I suggest setting a higher subsistence level for 2022 and increasing it at a faster pace than inflation, by 8.6 percent. In absolute terms, the average subsistence wage in the country must reach 12,654 rubles a month, which is 1,000 rubles more than today.
“Let me add that the subsistence minimum is related to many social benefits, such as payments to families with children, additional social payments and pension supplements; therefore, it is not the absolute figure that is important, but what it is related to. And let me remind you that these benefits are paid to millions of our citizens. Of course, these payments will also grow.” [My Emphasis]
Golly gee whiz!! What a contrast to the Outlaw US Empire’s ongoing efforts put into distorting/lying about economic figures to make the rate of inflation seem much lower in reality so the Feds don’t have to pay out what those on Social Security and others getting COLAs deserve.
@vk 40
I don’t find myself in full agreement with you vey often, but your comment on why there is US inflation is spot on.
I’ve been telling people a very similar thing:
The dollars being injected aren’t producing anything. It’s ghost money.
The stimulus dollars aren’t earned capital that is being recycled back into production.
It’s a fundamental law of capitalism: labor and capital work together to create growth, therefore creating more demand for labor and creating more capital. Wash, rinse, repeat.
You can’t just create money out of thin air that wasn’t earned, or developed, through that process.
If you do you get inflation automatically.
So, I totally agree with you on this, vk
What should have occurred, was that stimulus money should have been applied directly to private debt, and only private debt. I.e. student loans, mortgages, credit cards.
That way, the actual real capital being currently earned could be more efficiently applied to the system.
It would have freed up billions in debt and rentier payments; real money, already earned, that could be used to support the economy
Not cripple it with inflation like was done
See, we can find common ground when the bullshit is stripped away.
Bravo, vk
Posted by: Ackman419 | Nov 18 2021 23:03 utc | 144
Posted by: ADKC | Nov 18 2021 23:35 utc | 145
@ c1ue, 84,85,120
The loan systems of private banking are just pawnbroking operations which monetise the customer’s own collateral, with the capital for the loan created from nothing, using the bank’s license to create bank credit.
Further, bank customers only accept the imposition of interest as they believe they are borrowing valuable, bank capital, the myth of ‘preexisting bank capital’!
All the loan books of the private banks then could be torn up, with the banks charged with cartel fraud.
And to say that sovereign lending never has collateral has to be one of the most absurd statements ever made. Are you saying that collateral is only entries in the debt bankers loan books???
Posted by: Ric G | Nov 19 2021 0:42 utc | 146
After the MFA meeting, Lavrov held a presser. Here’s the Russian transcript. Barflies need to understand the situation is growing worse daily.
You can’t just create money out of thin air that wasn’t earned
__________________________________________________
You say that as if creating money that was earned is a thing.
If gold or silver was the only form of money, then creating money by earning it would have some meaning. Are you proposing that the only form of money that should be allowed is the kind that is produced by digging it up out of ground? If that is your position then you should say that explicitly instead of dancing around the issue.
When someone says, “You can’t just create money out of thin air that wasn’t earned” that is just pure BS because like it or not, that is how all money is created in today’s world.
Posted by: jinn | Nov 19 2021 0:49 utc | 148
RT did a good job of summarizing the main points of Putin’s address, but it’s also unusual for RT to do so and as rapidly as it did. Trying to get the West to listen seems to be the point of the exercise.
Further, bank customers only accept the imposition of interest as they believe they are borrowing valuable, bank capital, the myth of ‘preexisting bank capital’!
__________________________________________________________
Most bank loans are accepted by people who believe they will profit from the loan. Often, They believe that borrowing the money and buying is cheaper than leasing. Thus if they borrow they will, over time, be left with a profit from borrowing.
This assumption may well be a little like the assumption of the casino customers that believe they will profit from visiting the casino.
Posted by: jinn | Nov 19 2021 1:05 utc | 150
Posted by Id @ 142
Thanks for alerting me to Russell Brand, I looked for more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Ea-Di9DsI
Posted by: Paul | Nov 19 2021 1:16 utc | 151
This is big news, “Putin’s decree on Donbass is response to Kiev’s refusal to honor Minsk accords — envoy”
“‘The decree by President of Russia Vladimir Putin ‘On Rendering Humanitarian Assistance to the Population of Separate Districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions of Ukraine’ contributes to overcoming the aggressive economic and humanitarian blockade of Donbass and stabilizing the social and economic situation in the region,’ the Russian envoy stressed.
“‘This is a purely humanitarian response to Kiev’s non-fulfillment of the Minsk accords, the economic and transport blockade of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that has been in place since 2017 and the liberation of the region’s residents from the economic stranglehold created by the Kiev regime,’ the envoy stressed at Minsk format talks….
“The Russian president’s decree “is a forced reply to Kiev’s actions that are intended to escalate the conflict and actually fall under the UN Genocide Convention,” Gryzlov pointed out.” [My Emphasis]
Lavrov promised something beyond a diplomatic act in response to the escalating NATO threat. To prevent genocide is a very big charge the West will not like whatsoever.
@ jinn 150
I was trying to make a point about the creation of our monetary supply as private debt, and not as an interest-free national asset, owned by our sovereign nation.
We are taught that the government has no money, and only private capital has the authentic funds to power our national economy.
And then, in outrageous chutzpah, the private bankers demand that the government must bring its national treasures to the banks, allowing the bankers to convert this collateral into capital, owned by the private banks, using their licenses to create bank credit.
The government must now pay interest upon the capital which it could have monetised itself, free from interest. Welcome to Alice’s Tea Party for Financial Idiots!
Posted by: Ric G | Nov 19 2021 1:19 utc | 153
@136
This link on Ethiopia represents the Ethiopian government view. Blaming the TPLF for starting the war is not accurate, as Abiy Ahmed was already removing them from rule in their state, which the Tigrayans had previously enjoyed except during the Derg regime of 1974-1991. The hostile intentions of the previously imperial Amharas, discomfited by their loss of power in 1991, are shown by the Amhara Fano militia and its demands that whole areas of the Tigray region having 87% or greater Tigrayan population, be annexed to Amhara, then they followed this up by massive occupation and ethnic cleansing of the Western Zone of Tigray, where the Tigrayans said 700,000 of them were driven out, a number almost equivalent to the Zionist expulsion of Palestinians in 1948-1949, and even if that number is inflated, it is still hundreds of thousands. While the Tigrayan attack on the Ethiopian military in Tigray is the supposed casus belli here, the fact that it was the Amharas and any allies they have in the Ethiopian state who actually invaded and massively ethnically cleansed, massacred, and starved Tigray is very telling.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Amhara, in the neighboring region of Benishangul-Gumuz, the same is being visited on the native Gumuz inhabitants of the Metekel Zone by the Amhara militias, despite the Amharas scarcely amounting to more that one sixth of the population. That conflict has been going on since 2019. For the journalist to claim that the Ethiopian government is all sweetness and light and represents all of the Ethiopian peoples is disingenuous to say the least. Maybe through peaceful negotiations with everyone, which were attempted to some extent since 1991, for example, in the concessions to the regional nationalities, some kind of modus vivendi could be reached. But the attempts of the current Ethiopian regime to suppress all the nationalities by force, especially those in whose territories the Amharan nationalists have expansionist ambitions, is doomed to failure.
Posted by: Cabe | Nov 19 2021 1:32 utc | 154
@jinn 150
I think you’re paraphrasing my comment.
What I mean is that in the context of capitalism, capital (money) is earned, or created through labor.
The stimulus money wasn’t earned through capitalist means.
It was created without any production causing the creation.
I said nothing about gold.
I’m speaking strictly in terms of capital and labor, with any form of money you like representing those two aspects.
No need to call my comment bullshit. And if you weren’t disingenuous about my comment, by only paraphrasing it, we could discuss this further.
However, you come across as a total dick.
So have a nice day
Posted by: Ackman419 | Nov 19 2021 1:44 utc | 155
So two Canadian frigates happened to be docked at the City of North Vancouver shipyards for the weekend, prior to Monday’s (15th) huge rainstorm, the storm which resulted in destruction of rail and highway access to the port. According to Google, it’s a 13 minute drive from those shipyards to the port (with no traffic, that is!) 4.7 kms. No public tours on the ships that weekend.
https://twitter.com/CityOfNorthVan/status/1459302500331397123?s=20
And there was an explosion on the Vancouver Island air force base at Comox a few hours ago. One person seriously injured, nine others injured less severely. No significant damage to infrastructure. NOTAM issued over the flooded Sumas Prairie (that’s just outside the city in Fraser Valley, agricultural area)
https://twitter.com/Transport_gc/status/1461394423154151425?s=20
Premier of this province John Horgan was recently diagnosed with throat cancer – his voice sounds normal in his press conferences I think. And the CEO of Rogers Communication Joe Natale who visited the Coastal First Nations last week to sign that agreement has decided to pursue other opportunities. It’s not California, but a trip yo the west coast can have that kind of effect on a person! There had been much talk in the media about drama with Rogers owners/management in the weeks prior.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Nov 19 2021 1:54 utc | 156
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST?
In his speech at the US Senate on September 24, 2021 Ted Cruz explains how the United States will block Nord Stream 2. A must see video! Ted Cruz truly is an orator and a demagogue in the league of Cato the Elder.
‘That Excuse Is Laughable On Its Face’: Ted Cruz Excoriates Biden Over Nord Stream 2 Decision – Forbes Breaking News, Sep 24, 2021
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticizes President Biden for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
The Saker (again) expects war.
Russian options in a world headed for war
The world is headed for war and has been headed that way for quite a while now. Several times, just at the brink, the West decided to pull back, but each time it did that its ruling elites felt two things: first, the felt even more hatred for Russia for forcing them to back down and, second, they interpreted the fact that no shooting war happened (yet) as the evidence, at least in their minds, that standing on the brink of war is a pretty safe exercise.
Also worth watching is this video by Alexander Mercouris, where he explains the latest twists in the Normandy Format.
West Shocked as Moscow Rules out Summit on Ukraine, Insists on Direct Talks between Kiev and Donbass
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Nov 19 2021 2:11 utc | 157
Five stages of grief:
Joe Biden Is Succeeding by David Brooks, for the NYT
Lenin still lives rent-free in the heads of the American people:
‘Professor or Comrade’? US Senator Asks Biden Nominee Raised in USSR if ‘Resigned’ From Komsomol
Below is a Xinhuanet posting about Putin’s comments today about China/Russia relationship
”
MOSCOW, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) — Relations between Russia and China have reached their highest level in history, and the two countries will step up cooperation further, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
“We will continue to strengthen ties with our good neighbors and friends in the People’s Republic of China,” Putin said at an expanded meeting of the Russian Foreign Ministry Board.
The bilateral relations have served as a model for effective interstate cooperation in the 21st century, he stressed.
Putin noted that some Western countries are “openly trying to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing.”
“Together with our Chinese friends, we will continue to respond to such attempts by expanding our political, economic and other cooperation, and coordinating steps in the international arena,” he said.
”
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2021 6:13 utc | 160
Re : the USSR Project
As it was financed by western banks and led by jews, it seems obvious the USSR Communism project was some kind of cheap labour scam, yet they did accomplish great things, like modernisation. Obviously some leaders and participants were scammers, while others were sincere about equality and better living conditions.
I feel like Lenin was a huckster, Trotsky a megalomaniac, and Stalin sincere, if brutal. But I don’t know if I’ve gleaned reality, or just picked up on the collective consciousness. I’d like to know more !
Knowledgeable barflies, please inform me on who was a sincere communist, and who was crooked.
Posted by: Featherless | Nov 19 2021 6:46 utc | 161
Posted by: Die Niemandsfuchs | Nov 19 2021 7:17 utc | 162
Graeme Edge of the Moody Blues died, age 80, Nov. 11th, a week ago. No causes listed. This blog post has the best ever live show of him, kicking ass ala Keith Moon.
https://fivegunswest.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-moody-blues-best-ever-concert.html
And this post is his eulogy by me. The Moodies were the Beatles of progressive rock.
https://fivegunswest.blogspot.com/2021/11/graeme-goes-over-edge-rip-graeme-edge.html
Posted by: FiveGunsWest | Nov 19 2021 8:11 utc | 163
Video, Bandit State charm school educating future war criminals, fanatics and extremists, 1.09 minute:
https://www.bitchute.com/video/MNlzh7BMtEl2/
Posted by: Paul | Nov 19 2021 8:12 utc | 164
I feel like Lenin was a huckster, Trotsky a megalomaniac, and Stalin sincere, if brutal. But I don’t know if I’ve gleaned reality, or just picked up on the collective consciousness. I’d like to know more !
Knowledgeable barflies, please inform me on who was a sincere communist, and who was crooked.
Posted by: Featherless | Nov 19 2021 6:46 utc | 161
You have not gleaned reality but your moniker indicates you may have been plucked.
Asking the barflies to inform you about sincere communists will yield no more definitive answer than to ask who among us is the best lover.
If you want to know more, read more. Re your request I recommend Arthur Rosenberg’s very readable book available here:
A History of Bolshevism
Posted by: waynorinorway | Nov 19 2021 9:07 utc | 165
Cabe #154
Thank you and you might have noticed that Journalist Hermela Aregawi is a Tigrayan/USA journalist. Could you provide some links to accompany your advice as it is certainly worth considering to assist in barflies comprehension of the circumstances.
Here is the excellent Rhania Kalek on Ethiopia with Journalist Hermela Aregawi – Debunking the Media Lies Fueling War in Ethiopia.
November 4 is the one year anniversary of the TPLF attacks on the Ethiopian government’s Northern Command base, kicking off a brutal war. The TPLF is now advancing towards Addis Ababa, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The U.S. government has continued to condemn Ethiopia for fighting back against the TPLF insurgency, leading many Ethiopians to believe that Washington is supporting a violent coup in their country.
Hermela Aregawi is an Ethiopian-American journalist of Tigrayan descent who has been relentlessly attacked and smeared for calling out biased media reporting on the conflict. She joined Rania Khalek to discuss this and more.
Follow Hermela’s work on Youtube: “>https://www.youtube.com/user/hermelaA…
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 19 2021 9:37 utc | 166
ooops here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/user/hermelaAregawi
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 19 2021 9:38 utc | 167
Featherless #161
As it was financed by western banks and led by jews, it seems obvious the USSR Communism project was some kind of cheap labour scam, yet they did accomplish great things, like modernisation. Obviously some leaders and participants were scammers, while others were sincere about equality and better living conditions.
For a minute there I thought you were talking about Venice, er City of London, er Amsterdam, but then I realised you meant the USA.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 19 2021 9:43 utc | 168
Hamas to be declared terror group with supporters in UK facing 10 years in prison
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hamas-priti-patel-proscribe-terrorist-organisation-b1960515.html
That’s the political wing, the actual government. The Home Secretary Priti Patel was dismissed from ministerial post before for holding secret meetings with Israel, and was found guilty in her present post of bullying juniors. She advocated sinking refugee boats crossing the English channel. She (of Kenyan Asian parentage) is wholly opposed to immigration to the UK! Such is the calibre of the governing class in the UK today, totally sold out to the Zionists. As is the main opposition party. Universities are being forced to accept the IHRA definition of anti-semitism under threat of losing financial support, most have buckled. It will soon be a crime to criticise Israel at this rate. Glad I no longer live there and can wear my “Free Palestine” t-shirt without fear.
Posted by: Walt | Nov 19 2021 10:01 utc | 169
karlof1 #152
THAT is excellent news and most welcome. From that report it seems the Russian Government is going to ensure that is UN rules not the bogus fantasy rules of the UKUSA terrorists and the comedian President of ukraineSS.
There will be one mighty dummy spit in the west. HoHo.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Nov 19 2021 10:05 utc | 170
[ Cabe @154 ]
On the subject of Ethiopia
Cabe,
What do you think of this article by Gary Brecher (aka John Dolan, aka the War Nerd)? The War Nerd: The Tigray-Ethiopia War. Quite long reading.
Posted by: phiw13 | Nov 19 2021 10:18 utc | 171
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 19 2021 0:46 utc | 147
Thanks for the link to the Lavrov segue, did not see it last night, and yes indeed, this is getting dangerous by the minute. Their patience ran out, about time, fulfill previous compromises and then we will talk, the right decision. An so much for the UK, Lavrov touches a nerve with their play in the Black Sea calling it self assurance now that they’ve gone “global Britain”, even though he quickly states that without Washington’s word nothing moves in 404 country as Martyanov accurately labels Ukraine.
Posted by: Paco | Nov 19 2021 12:09 utc | 172
“Reacting later on Friday, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that “each time we think nothing more ridiculous, aggressive, unfriendly and unconstructive can come from the other side of the ocean, we’re proven wrong…” ”
Russia reacts to US Congress bid to de-legitimize a future Putin presidency
Posted by: arby | Nov 19 2021 13:18 utc | 173
“PM Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year. ”
Posted by: Die Niemandsfuchs | Nov 19 2021 7:17 utc | 162
Thank you for the post, about time Modi the Toadie came to his senses.
Posted by: Bemildred | Nov 19 2021 14:16 utc | 174
Russia reacts to US Congress bid to de-legitimize a future Putin presidency
Posted by: arby | Nov 19 2021 13:18 utc | 173
Pathetic. I mean, do they really think it is up to them? Are their “owners” really such sore losers? (Yes, yes they are.) They seek to fend off the knowledge that they are losers. Crappy winners, and crappy losers.
Posted by: Bemildred | Nov 19 2021 14:26 utc | 175
Random imperial mouthpiece admits Western politicians are mere puppets of the capitalist class:
Rupert Murdoch has the power if he wants Trump to move on by Timothy L. O’Brien, Bloomberg
One more for the “Red is the new Green” anthology:
China responsible for 95% of APEC forest increase
Honestly, I think Greta Thunberg should just go back to school.
To those interested, I find it curious to say the least that so little’s being said of what amounts to Russia’s employment of its own version of R2P in Donbass as is announced by Putin’s decree reported @152. I found the actual decree and have machine translated and pasted it as follows:
In order to protect the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, rendering humanitarian support to the population of individual regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and prevent further decline in living standards in the context of the ongoing economic blockade and the deterioration of the situation in
the result of the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), guided by the universally recognized principles and norms of international humanitarian law, decree:
1. The Government of the Russian Federation within a month:
a) provide, as an exception, for the period up to the political settlement of the situation in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions Ukraine on the basis of the Minsk Agreements:
recognition in the Russian Federation of valid certificates of origin of goods issued by bodies (organizations) actually operating in the territories of the specified areas; admission on equal terms with goods of Russian origin of goods originating from the specified areas for the purpose of procurement of
goods for state and municipal needs and procurement of goods by certain types of legal entities; non-application of quantitative restrictions on exports and imports in respect of goods, the movement of which is carried out across the state border of the Russian Federation on the territory of the specified areas or from such territories (with the exception of certain types of goods);
b) determine the list of certain types of goods that are not covered by the paragraph of the fourth subparagraph “a” of this paragraph;
c) identify checkpoints across the state border The Russian Federation, through which the movement of goods is carried out, provided for by the fourth paragraph of subparagraph “a” of this paragraph;
d) ensure the introduction of amendments to the legislation of the Russian Federation necessary for the implementation of this Decree;
e) bring their acts in line with this Decree;
f) take other measures necessary for the implementation of this Decree.
2. To amend the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of August 6 2014 N 560 “On the application of certain special economic measures to ensure the security of the Russian Federation” (Assembly legislation of the Russian Federation, 2014, N 32, p. 4470; 2015, No. 26, article 3878; 2016, No. 27, art. 4458; 2017, No. 27, article 4022; 2018, No. 29, article 4421; 2019, No. 26, article 3412, 3415; 2020, N 25, art. 3880; N 47, article 7510; 2021, N 39, article 6697) change, adding subparagraph “a” of paragraph 2 “and the decree of the President of the Russian Federation “About rendering
humanitarian support to the population of individual regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine”.
3. To amend the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 22 2018 N 592 “On the application of special economic measures in connection with unfriendly actions of Ukraine against citizens and legal entities Of the Russian Federation” (Collection of Legislation of the Russian Federation, 2018, N 44, Article 6706; 2019, N 26, Article 3412) amendment, supplementing it with paragraph 21 of the following content: “21. The powers of the Government of the Russian Federation provided for in paragraph 2 of this Decree are implemented taking into account the provisions of the Decree The President of the Russian Federation “On the provision of humanitarian support to the population of certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine”.”
4. This Decree comes into force from the date of its signing.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin
Having read the above, I strongly suggest reading this TASS report again in full, while paying attention to this specific,
“The Russian president’s decree “is a forced reply to Kiev’s actions that are intended to escalate the conflict and actually fall under the UN Genocide Convention.” [My Emphasis]
Linking the decree with the Genocide Convention IMO makes it a Russian version of the R2P strategy for which all the relevant documents proving such are now in the public domain. And as such, I regard this as Big News as I said last night but which is being ignored most everywhere for unknown reasons. The further idiocies introduced by congressional lackeys aren’t related to this as those lackeys were ignorant of Putin’s decree. The outcome is Russia has taken the opposition’s Queen and has its King in check, leaving only one thing for the opposition to do–howl and sob.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — At a busy market in a poor township outside Harare this week, Nyasha Ndou kept his mask in his pocket, as hundreds of other people, mostly unmasked, jostled to buy and sell fruit and vegetables displayed on wooden tables and plastic sheets. As in much of Zimbabwe, here the coronavirus is quickly being relegated to the past, as political rallies, concerts and home gatherings have returned.
“COVID-19 is gone, when did you last hear of anyone who has died of COVID-19?” Ndou said. “The mask is to protect my pocket,” he said. “The police demand bribes so I lose money if I don’t move around with a mask.” Earlier this week, Zimbabwe recorded just 33 new COVID-19 cases and zero deaths, in line with a recent fall in the disease across the continent, where World Health Organization data show that infections have been dropping since July.
Scientists mystified, wary, as Africa avoids COVID disaster
Posted by: Bemildred | Nov 19 2021 17:24 utc | 179
karlof@178, thank you for the link & translation. i agree fully. we are as the saker & smoothie say, walking upon very thin ice. thank you for your insights, links & posts.
Posted by: emersonreturn | Nov 19 2021 17:31 utc | 180
I’ve turned my comment @178 into an article making it easier to share here.
I got an answer from Pepe Escobar; he couldn’t recall where the $700 Billion Deal was written about by him 2 years ago, nor would be divulge the name of the “reputable” energy company, which as his source I assumed would be his reply.
I must admit I admire Putin’s play. The crisis remains but it’s now been moved onto a completely different footing where Russia’s in control.
waynorinorway and uncle tungsten
Yes, thank you. I KNOW that I don’t know, and understand this subject has been rife with spin and propaganda since the very beginning, INCLUDING in books. That’s why I ask the people in this bar, many who are knowledgeable, and might actually know and be able to give me the jist of it, without too much spin and agenda.
Posted by: Featherless | Nov 19 2021 18:13 utc | 182
Uncle tungsten, I said « western banks » and not U.S. because I don’t know enough to specify which. Was it Venice, or London or Amsterdam ? But that was not really my question. If you have knowledge concerning my question about the USSR project, please speak it. If you just want to show off your mind reading skills, you should start by first getting it right.
waynorinorway, I don’t want to read A particular book on this, because I don’t know that it wouldn’t be spin and propaganda. That’s why I’m asking here, because many knowledgeable commenters are more likely to, together, yield something resembling an approximation of a decent answer.
Posted by: Featherless | Nov 19 2021 18:30 utc | 183
Here is a pretty good, very lengthy detailed review of the Ivermectin studies: Astral Codex detailed review of Ivermectin studies
the net net: it is not at all conclusive that Ivermectin actually does anything significant vs. COVID.
Scott Alexander then goes on to look at the sociological background behind the vaccine reluctant. While he is absolutely limousine liberal, I appreciate that he at least makes the effort to see all sides even if mostly wrong.
I added this comment:
I will note that your sociological and scientific analysis left out several vitally important factors:
1) Benefit vs. Risk ratios. For people who are under 40, the risk of dying from COVID is miniscule. This is not debatable.
2) The vaccines do not significantly prevent getting COVID or spreading it.
3) The potential risk from mRNA is completely unquantifiable.
1) and 2) matter because the benefit for individuals as well as the population at large is not high in an absolute sense.
3) matters because if the benefit of vaccination is not high – the risk of mRNA technology becomes significant.
And this comes to the last point:
4) immunologists do not have the right, the training or the mandate to make society wide choices.
I have no problem trusting an immunologist to mostly get immune issues right.
I have enormous problems with trusting immunologists to make societal tradeoffs.
So it isn’t about aliens so much as asking your grocer to dictate your diet.
Yes, he works with food but that doesn’t give him the right or the prerogative to dictate your dietary lifestyle.
And the last point: I actually can see the point of vaccine mandates in those many countries where public health is a utility. The absolute number of people hospitalized/dying/dead is a direct impact on the government budget. From a bureaucratic standpoint, it is 100% understandable why they want vaccine mandates.
The problem is that none of those countries apply the same standard for smoking, for obesity, for freestyle mountain climbing, any number of other enormously risky behaviors which directly correlate to negative health outcomes and expense to public health care.
That’s the real problem at hand.
Posted by: c1ue | Nov 19 2021 19:02 utc | 184
Jury speaks: Rittenhouse innocent.
That means you cannot say nonsense like “Rittenhouse’s victims…” anymore. Rittenhouse was the victim and acted in self defense. The people he shot were the aggressors.
Posted by: William Gruff | Nov 19 2021 19:11 utc | 185
“That means you cannot say nonsense like “Rittenhouse’s victims…” ”
very WOKE. ha ha
Posted by: arby | Nov 19 2021 19:17 utc | 186
Interesting news on Telesur today about Russia donating tonnes of cooking oil to Cuba through the World Food Programme to help with food security. I’m no engineer – but I’ve heard rumors that diesel engines can run on vegetable oil?
Speaking of rumours — back to the Pacific North-west, as Vancouver and surrounding areas try to recover from very-very-close-but-not-quite catastrophic flooding. I watched Trudeau’s press conference after the North American Leader’s Summit (link on his Twitter account)… and there was something… in the way he spoke when he spoke French with Mélanie Joly nodding as she stood behind him, about the response to the situation in BC… could these folks be involved?
https://mobile.twitter.com/2divca_2candiv
First Tweet – informative video about Canadian Patrol Pathfinders, next Tweet introduces the 2nd Division.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Nov 19 2021 19:24 utc | 187
karlof1 | Nov 19 2021 17:13 utc | 178
Putin is absolutely brilliant. He’s now playing the “humanitarian” card, to which the West will have a hard time responding. Placing the Uke troops (and Zelensky) as potentially “Genocidal” thugs, to be acted against. As you say, the West isn’t going to like this one bit but there is nothing they can do !
****
I had just watched the youtub by Mercoris, which related exactly how Putin now holds all the cards, and all he has to do is to wait and watch the EU and US thrash about looking for a solution. The strengthening of the Russian economy, lack of debt, the Energy situation etc. are all in Russia’s favour. Mercouris shows these to be the first steps in them controlling the dance floor.
ie. Putin has said NO to any weakening or change of the Russian stance. Ukraine MUST talk to the leaders of Donbass, as stipulated in the Minsk accords and there is now nothing that will change the Russian attitude. Neither the Cookie Monster or Burns visits made any difference. No is NO and now they know it. No Talk, No Minsk. Lavrov’s careful (and deliberate) publishing of the French and German letters has excluded the possibility of any future “New” PR summit before it takes place. All the “summits” were designed to do is make Russia back off and/or take responsibility for the present situation.
(First linked by Petri Krohn)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjrwNdxfqp8
**
The”West’s” reply? Send in the Nukes, (NATO’s forward movement is now trying to place Nukes on Russia’s borders) “The Secretary General of NATO has urged member states to remain committed to plans that could see American nuclear weapons shared across the US-led military bloc’s eastern frontier, close to the border with Russia.“. Why anyone doesn’t just lock up Stoltenberg as insane, I don’t know.
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PS. The FT even went as far as publishing a map that contained a “Russian occupied Donbass”. So the MSM were preparing the ground for the “expulsion” of “Russians” from Ukraine.
****
PPS; One other ploy Putin could use is the PR one, that any future elections in any of the limitrophe countries (Estonia, Latvia etc,) do not reflect the real wishes of their populations. An “Opposition” Guaido figure was the real winner, as the votes did not show a “Democratic outcome” that was agreed upon by the “Internationale”. Now, where have we heard that before? The Russian speaking parts of the populations are already deprived of votes and influence in one or two of them.
Posted by: Stonebird | Nov 19 2021 20:05 utc | 188
Certainly thanks to MOA contributors of vital data dor all peoples.
I hi-light the work to translate between languages. So few of us are multi-lingual and that is a severe handicap…a trap to impose unawareness on the 99%, impossible to overcome without accurate translations by real intellects.
Awesome honors to those demonstrating Lavrovian skills.
Posted by: chu teh | Nov 19 2021 20:47 utc | 189
@bemildred, 179
thanks for the link to the article on scientists being puzzled by the fall in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Africa. The reporters resolutely tiptoe round the issue. Could the cheap and effective pharmaceuticals being used to treat or prevent malaria and other parasitic diseases actually be having an effect on the coronavirus as well? Shhhh.
Posted by: cirsium | Nov 19 2021 21:06 utc | 190
@bemildred, 179
thanks for the link to the article on scientists being puzzled by the fall in SARS-CoV-2 cases in Africa. The reporters resolutely tiptoe round the issue. Could the cheap and effective pharmaceuticals being used to treat or prevent malaria and other parasitic diseases actually be having an effect on the coronavirus as well? Shhhh.
Posted by: cirsium | Nov 19 2021 21:06 utc | 190
I think it’s interesting that nobody is that interested. A small mercy for the African continent anyway. I think the entire discussion and reaction to the pandemic in the West has been characterized by panic, politics, and bad judgement. So I’ve been trying to stay out of the way.
Posted by: Bemildred | Nov 19 2021 21:37 utc | 191
Stonebird @188–
Thanks for your reply! It’s clear to see by the response and lack thereof what “sells” at MoA. I reveal a huge scoop that the Rittenhouse verdict completely buries–and I revealed it last night, although I didn’t connect all the dots at that time! Sigh. At least the agitation about the verdict will melt away by Monday while the reality of Russia’s move will remain and will eventually need to be confronted.
Bemildred @179 & cirsium @190–
I read the African item earlier today and would have commented upon it but I had other business. IMO, the results reflect the aid given Africa by China and Russia along with their own previous experiences with extremely virulent diseases. It might be noted that given Malaria’s ubiquity in Africa that there was likely a large number of anti-Malarial drugs already available and put to use. Plus, most African governments aren’t beholden to Big Pharma like those of the West and thus were able to follow their own path. Additionally, BigPharma has little interest in Africa because it’s poor and little money’s to be made there. So yes, IMO much can be learned from Africa’s experience. Furthermore, their economies are emerging more whole than those in the West and are ready to benefit from the recent intense interactions with China and Russia on the development front. I predict the region that will benefit most from BRI will be sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, their economies are emerging more whole than those in the West and are ready to benefit from the recent intense interactions with China and Russia on the development front. I predict the region that will benefit most from BRI will be sub-Saharan Africa.
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 19 2021 22:49 utc | 192
That would be a nice outcome. Perhaps another result will be that the Yurpeans will be too busy with their own problems to meddle as much.
I figured the pandemic would be a disaster here as soon as I heard about it – and it was clear it was not going to be contained – based on the fecklessness of our health care system. The last 20 years have provided several warnings of its incompetence.
There is a reason most hospitals used to be non-profits. If you want disinterested service, you had best remove the profit motive, or at least circumscribe it.
RE: Rittenhouse – if only we could harness all of this energy for some productive purpose …..
Nah.
Posted by: Bemildred | Nov 19 2021 23:02 utc | 193
Bemildred @193–
Thanks for your reply! My comment @2 on the Rittenhouse thread predicted it would stomp on my scoop. I just linked to Biden’s response @162 and added I was quite correct @2. Seems Putin’s R2P move is the stealthyist one ever performed.
Karlof1, I read and appreciate all your comments. You are one of the most valuable person on this site.
Posted by: Peter Schmidt | Nov 19 2021 23:52 utc | 195
Bemildred @193–
Thanks for your reply! My comment @2 on the Rittenhouse thread predicted it would stomp on my scoop. I just linked to Biden’s response @162 and added I was quite correct @2. Seems Putin’s R2P move is the stealthyist one ever performed.
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 19 2021 23:37 utc | 194
RE Rittenhouse: yes, and on to the next one next week. They are drowning us in hyperbolic drivel. I don’t think I want to post an opinion; whatever it is, somebody will distort it. And others have expressed mine just as well as I could.
Possibly the spark for something bigger, but if not, a tempest in a teapot.
Agree about Putin’s R2P move, nobody is going to want to talk about it. Still waiting for the Yurpeans reaction to the publication of notes on diplomatic conversations. I don’t think they will know how to react.
It is going to be an interesting winter, I think.
Appreciate your posts, they are a big help keeping up.
Posted by: Bemildred | Nov 20 2021 0:00 utc | 196
https://www.quora.com/Is-the-news-outlet-vice-biased
This is an interesting opinion !
Posted by: Eighthman | Nov 20 2021 0:31 utc | 197
Bemildred @196 & Peter Schmidt @195–
Thanks very much for your replies and kudos, Peter! Just finished with the Mercoris vid and found it tiresome as he absolves the Outlaw US Empire and EU of any responsibility for the mess they’ve generated for there’re many things they can do to rectify the situation which is built on a very long series of BigLies that the EU/US don’t want to admit are indeed lies. Minsk2 has the force of the UNSC behind it–a fact Mercoris fails to mention even once–which is THE reason Russia continues to insist upon its implementation. Notice in the TASS item announcing Putin’s decree that it was “forced.” Okay, forced by what? Easy; forced by the inaction of the EU and the Kiev Junta to do what they pledged to do, with the decree being the first step toward Russia’s attempt to resolve the issue. Yes, a bitter pill for those who created the crisis to swallow, but they have no choice; they brought it upon themselves; and they’re very lucky to be getting out of it so cheaply. I also find it odd that Mercoris differs so much from Saker who clearly sees the fact that the Outlaw US Empire wants Russia to engage in a war where it will be politically vilified by the usual suspects–Mercoris doesn’t even mention such a possibility.
Anyway, the deed is done. Putin met with his Security Council today; and as the decree notes, action is required by the Duma to make the decree reality. The decree was made on the 15th, so 4 days have elapsed. I await the announcement of measures made to protect the humanitarian mission that I’ve already speculated upon.
(This is a mostly gratuitous post with my thoughts about some things.)
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-sumas-flood-protection-must-include-a-deal-with-washington-state/wcm/7e495a7c-30b7-48ba-a760-820eb4afe3a3/amp/
If “our neighbours to the south…are not prepared to do something, the ultimate solution is that we build a dyke along the border.” – late 90’s, Abbotsford mayor George Ferguson
I think we all know the mindset that European decision-makers brought to the present-day country of Canada when they settled here, particularly around land and water use. Useless eaters included the millions of people living here, buffalo/bison, basking sharks, wolves, seals, seal lions, prairie dogs and so on. In the flooded area around Abbotsford, the Sumas Prairie was once the Sumas Lake, then declared to be of no use, likely especially so because it supported the Indigenous community. Useful farm land covered by removable lake water! And fed by a river that flows from another country.
Perhaps ecology, politics and Indigenous rights strongly encourage us to put the lake back where we found it. At least part-ways?
I hate the Coquihalla Highway and I’m glad it flooded. The old Coquihalla Highway was fine by me. I don’t know who decided we needed an American-style Interstate connecting Vancouver to the interior of BC. Good riddance.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Nov 20 2021 0:46 utc | 199
@Posted by: Featherless | Nov 19 2021 6:46 utc | 161
Better than to “experts”, you should observe to whom the Russian people offer their homage non stop through the decades and who in the polls get out always as one of the most important people for Russia…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12y3A33_SzU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnYsiF2-kJg
Posted by: Black bread | Nov 20 2021 0:59 utc | 200